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Afri-Plastics Challenge

4 August 2021

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What was the Afri-Plastics Challenge?

The Afri-Plastics Challenge was a prize funded by the Government of Canada; it is an element of the $100-million Marine Litter Mitigation Fund announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Charlevoix in June 2018. This challenge is now closed.

The Challenge aimed to reduce marine plastics in Sub-Saharan African countries by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement. It involves a public competition that will reward the best solutions to addressing marine plastic litter in developing countries in a way that promotes gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

The Challenge will help communities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to prevent plastic waste from entering the marine environment by finding ways to minimise reliance on plastic, new ways of managing plastic waste, and/or new uses for plastic that has been discarded.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WINNERS OF THE CHALLENGE HERE

Watch the APC documentary here

The Afri-Plastics Challenge was divided into three strands:

An arrow zigzagging its way upwards sits in the centre of an illustration that says Accelerating Growth (Accélérer la croissance)

Strand 1 – Accelerating Growth

Seeking small and medium-sized enterprises that have a proof of concept and the ability to scale nationally or regionally to reach a high target number of people, particularly engaging women and girls.

Find out more

A lightbulb sits in the centre of an illustration that says Creating Solutions (Créer des solutions)

Strand 2 – Creating Solutions

Seeking the creation of new or the development of early-stage products, technology and/or services to encourage the reduction or elimination of plastic usage across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Find out more

A loudhailer sits in the centre of an illustration that says Promoting Change (Promouvoir le changement)

Strand 3 – Promoting Change

A call for large scale campaigns that raise awareness and engage women and girls in the plastics value chain.

Find out more

Who are we working with?

The Judges

Jocelyne Landry Tsonang

Executive Team Member & Cameroon Country Representative – African Circular Economy Network

Jocelyne Landry Tsonang from African Circular Economy Network is a Cameroonian entrepreneur. Driven by her Pan-African mindset, she has founded an association of young female leaders, Maluwa Africa, incorporated in Nigeria with some 100 members in 20 African countries. Jocelyne will judge Strand 1 only.

Dr Adenike Akinsemolu

Founder & Director of – The Green Institute

Founder and Director of the Green Institute in Nigeria, Dr. Akinsemolu is a passionate environmental educator and sustainability author. His book, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science, is the first text to deal exclusively with issues of sustainability in Africa. Dr. Akinsemolu will judge all strands.

Ida Nganga

Regional Manager, Emerging Technologies for Development of UNESCO in English Speaking Countries

Ida leads the Regional Development Consortium, whose experts use technology and engineering to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (RCD Africa). Ida Nganga is regional manager of emerging technologies for development of UNESCO in English-speaking countries. She has been proactive in innovation competitions around the world. Ida will judge all strands.

Radhia Mtonga

Social Enterprise Learning and Development Coordinator – BongoHive

Radhia is a Zambian social entrepreneur who is passionate about environmental sustainability and the circular economy. She founded tech start-up Ulubuto, which won first prize from the Bongo Hive Discover program sponsored by the US Agency for International Development in 2018. Radhia will judge all strands.

Edward Mungai

Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) Edward is Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre

He worked with the Danish International Investment Funds (IFU) in Copenhagen and Africa, where he headed the regional office. He has helped develop financing mechanisms for SMEs in agribusiness, renewable energy, water and sanitation. Edward will judge Strand 1 only.

Oliver Nudds

Managing Director – Ocean Plastics Technologies

Oliver Nudds was born and raised in Africa, with work experience in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has successfully established distribution channels and sales solutions for multiple international brands and manufacturers over the past 30 years. Oliver will judge Strand 2 only.

Matthew Haden

Founder and Managing Director – The Recycler Tanzania

Matthew is an expert in solid waste management and recycling with seven years experience in the private sector. He is a strategist with knowledge of setting up and running a business in an emerging market, writing tenders and business proposals, and winning grant funding. Matthew will judge Strand 2 only.

Adwoa Coleman

Country Manager (Ghana) – Dow

Over 10 years of experience in varied technical roles in the chemical manufacturing industry. Currently focused on enabling a circular economy for plastics in Africa. She ran the Ghana Design Challenge on Sustainable Waste Management 2021. Adwoa will judge Strand 3 only.

Joshua Amponsem

Founder – Green Africa Youth Organisation

Joshua leads the first community-led zero waste project in Ghana. He advocates climate-change adaptation, circular economy, and disaster risk reduction. Joshua Amponsem served as advisor to the UN Youth Envoy’s Office in planning the UN Youth Climate Summit. Joshua will judge Strand 3 only.